Power take-off device of prime mover for propelling watercraft

Abstract

A power take-off device for employing the power of a prime mover originally provided for propelling a watercraft to drive equipment other than the watercraft. The stern-side end of an impeller shaft rotated by the prime mover for propulsion is extended outward beyond the impeller to be exposed in view. This extended portion provides a coupling engaging removably with an input coupling to a drive gear on aforesaid equipment.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A power take-off device for transmitting power of a prime mover for driving an impeller for propelling a watercraft to a drive gear for various equipment separate from said watercraft, said prime mover being stationarily mounted inboard of said watercraft, comprising: an extended portion on a stern side of a shaft of said impeller extended outward beyond said impeller so as to be exposed in view; and   a shaft coupling provided on said extended portion of said impeller shaft to engage removably with an imput coupling to said drive gear for various equipment.   
     
     
       2. A power take-off device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said exposed extended portion of said shaft of said impeller has a substantially conical shape. 
     
     
       3. The power take-off device defined in claim 2 wherein said conically shaped exposed portion includes a square hole defined therein and has indentations in the surface thereof to make that surface irregular. 
     
     
       4. A power take-off device for transmitting power from a prime mover which drives an impeller of a watercraft for powering various pieces of equipment which are separate from the watercraft the impeller being mounted on the stern portion of a hull of the watercraft and the prime mover being stationarily mounted in board the watercraft at a forward location, comprising: an impeller shaft extending longitudinally and rearwardly along the watercraft from the prime mover and having a forward end thereof connected to the prime mover to be driven thereby and having a stern end thereof connected to the impeller;   a duct mounted on the hull stern portion adjacent to and downstream of the impeller;   a flow passage in said duct through which water from the impeller flows to be discharged rearwardly from the watercraft;   an impeller extension mounted in said duct to extend longitudinally of said duct, said extension being located on said impeller stern end, said impeller shaft and said impeller extension being monolithic so that said impeller shaft and said impeller extension form a one-piece shaft unit, said impeller extension having a stern end which forms the rearwardmost end of said one-piece shaft unit; and   coupling means on said one-piece shaft unit rearwardmost end for releasably engaging an imput coupling of one of the various pieces of equipment.   
     
     
       5. The power take-off device defined in claim 4 further including stay means extending across said flow passage and mounting said impeller extension to said duct. 
     
     
       6. The power take-off device defined in claim 4 further including a nozzle movably connected to said duct. 
     
     
       7. The power take-off device defined in claim 4 wherein said equipment input shaft includes a slotted coupling and said one-piece shaft coupling means includes a key member adapted to releasably engage said slotted coupling.